The New England Telugu Association with the participation of other active community groups organized a rich felicitation in the honor of Dr. M. Mohan Babu, renowned artiste, producer and educationist from Andhra Pradesh, at India Society Centre, Boston on January 29th evening. Nearly five hundred Telugu Bostonians gathered at the venue and spent joyous moments with Dr. Mohan Babu.

Smt. Vahini Kuppa, President of NETA presented the welcome address, while the chief guest of the evening Dr. Mohan Babu graced the occasion duly accompanied by the prominent community leader Mr. Ranjan Vadlapatla and the New Jersey-based Global Community News Service (GCNS) chairman Mr. Srinivas Polavarapu (Gani Pola).

Mr. Vadlapatla who presided over the function observed that Dr. Mohan Babu was not only an individual of high repute, but also a 'vyavastha' (institution) by himself thanks to his broad vision where societal interests are considered supreme. He had earmarked a zone of admiration among the Telugu people worldwide as an artiste of high caliber and talents over three decades, apart from being a successful producer. He proved his mettle as real hero of the masses by taking active part as people's representative. His philanthropy had paved way for the happiness of many an underprivileged section.

Mr. Srinivas Polavarapu, who cherishes close affinity with Dr. Mohan Babu, said that Sree Vidyanikethan Educational Institutions at Tirupati in Andhra Pradesh, administered by the latter, would stand testimony to high-quality education coupled with love and care for the poor and downtrodden students, irrespective of caste, creed and religion.

Smt. Vahini Kuppa, Mr. Madhu Chary also spoke on the occasion and complimented Dr. Mohan Babu for his wide-spectrum of services for the poor students.

Dr. Mohan Babu, in his awaited address, sought the Telugu community to be united and focus their energy to realize greater levels of achievement. "Caste cripples, and it is a big hurdle that hampers humanism. It should be shunned forthwith," he ascertained.

"No matter, how much you earn, but be humble and treat everyone equally. Similarly, ups and down in one's life should not lead to any disappointment and any success should not lead to over joyous moments." He recalled the hard times he had gone through before and during the initial periods of his entry into the film industry.

The NETA conferred the prestigious 'Lifetime Achievement Award' on Dr. Mohan Babu in recognition of his services to the field of education and social development; and richly felicitated him following his completion of historic thirty years in film industry.

The Association also felicitated Mr. Ranjan Vadlapatla for his exceptional community service by giving 'Outstanding Community Service Award'. The distinguished gathering included Mr. Mohan Nannapaneni, Mr. Haribabu Muddana, Dr. Meka Seshagiri Rao, Mr. Dulipala Venkateswara Rao (past TAGB President), Dr. SN Rao, Mr. Madhu Chary, Mr. Murali Kuppa and others.

Mr. Vadlapatla announced a donation of INR 1 Lakh for institution of a Gold Medal for the meritorious from the poor students who are privileged to get educated at Sree Vidyanikethan International School, run by Sree Vidyanikethan Educational Trust.

Earlier, cultural programs were presented and the children who took part in the events were Pranavi Boyalakuntla, Aishwarya Deva, Srinidhi Sharma, Sahaja Surapaneni, Anshu Punreddy, Sathvika Dabbi, Varsha Pagidi, Sreya Nalla. A wonderful dance for the old classic song from erstwhile Telugu hit movie 'Maya Bazaar' was a feast to the eyes of the gathering.

The cultural events drew to a close with superb rendering of 'Duryodhana dialogues' by Sri Madhu Chary. Mr. Soma Shekar Reddy Nalla (event sponsor) of Sri Mahima Investments presented their investments opportunity to the Telugu community in Boston area.

Sri Ranjan Vadlapatla thanked Dr. Naveena and Mythali Dandamudi families and lot of other friends and well-wishers of Dr. Manchu Mohan Babu family who came from far away places like Washington DC, New Jersey, New York and Connecticut.

Every family got an opportunity to talk and have a picture with Dr. Mohan Babu and several kids requested his autograph which he acknowledged smilingly.

Program ended with vote of thanks by Mr. Murali Kuppa, Chairman of Sri Mahima Investments.